In the book Daniel a statue is seen in a dream by Nebuchadnezzar. It has been established through the passage of time that Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome were the first parts of the statute.
The feet of iron and clay people do not wish to place a label upon since the do not wish to place this combined group of nations to any time period. Why they are doing this I do not know, but when you apply the translation to the wording and use commonsense and understanding you can formulate a very strong possibility.
In Daniel 41-43 – And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, part of potters’ clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, forasmuch as thou sawest the iron mixed with miry clay. And as the toes of the feet were part of iron, and part of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong, and partly broken. And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay.
As you can see there is a lot going on here. First a foremost it shall have the appearance of Rome, yet it shall be divided. This in its basic format fits the how Europe now appears today. It is within a good part of what use to be the Roman Empire geographically, yet the nations within it are separate yet they have joined together to make themselves stronger finically, but at the same time they are weak. Evidence of this is seen in how they are handling the sudden influx of migrates from the Middle East, which in itself brings in more elements of the former Roman Empire into the European Union, since most of the Middle East was part of the former Roman Empire. This gives some weight to the statement that it shall mix with man’s seed yet it shall be fractured and divided. Not only are the nations separate, but within their borders they are becoming divided as cultural groups slice up the regions into smaller fragments. As we look upon the turmoil that is happening within the EU and the Middle East events are transpiring which could lead the development of ten new powerful leaders that will encompass both the west (Europe) and the east (the Middle East), each have five powerful leaders emerging from the mayhem.
Events transpiring this very moment are unlike any others that have happened since Christ ascended into Heaven. Mainly since they are happening so quickly because most change has taken several generations to go by as change took place. Now though events are becoming hard to follow they are happening so quickly. Once solid cultural communities are be shattered and fractured. It is not nations, but regions and it is within these regions that ten powerful leaders will emerge.
Does this mean the way Europe is now is a sign we are nearing the return of Christ? This in itself would not give enough evidence to support this, but throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testament are other elements within the behavior of humanity that does lead credence to such a supposition. It is also important to note that the people as denoted by the degradation of the statute, become weaker and more susceptible to sin. More willing to embrace that which is wrong and hate that which is good. This again is witnessed throughout other areas of the Bible. A prime example being 2 Peter 2.
Now I do not place any confidence in my insight upon me alone. For like Daniel I give all my belief and ideas upon this to the glory of God. For without Him I would not be seeing what I do see, for only through Him is the world seen for what it truly is and where it is truly headed, but the Bible makes it clear that no human can say when the return of Christ will be, but we are to watch for the signs that are given within the Bible. Many of which are now transpiring. Are there enough of them to fully fulfill prophecy? Only time will tell, but it is better to be cautious and make yourself right with God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.